HUMMINGBIRD AT THE EASTER CACTUS
ACRYLICS ON CEDAR W.RED OAK FRAME
SUMMER 2024

     Our Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri), which we’ve had for decades, loves to bloom in the summer once we put it out on the back porch.  This summer, in particular, the entire cactus has been covered in blooms which has drawn the attention of the hummingbirds, and it has been fun to watch the hummingbirds feed on the brilliant red flowers.  Seeing this interaction inspired me to paint the scene.  The design for the hummingbird was inspired by both Northwest Coast Native and Celtic art traditions.  I made the frame for this painting out of red oak using pegged, hand-joined, mortise-and-tenon construction methods.   I used the Japanese technique (shou-sugi-ban) of charring and oiling the oak to finish the frame.  I specifically made this painting for the Matzke Gallery’s “Honey, I Shrunk the Art” 2024 show.

DIMENSIONS:          HEIGHT: 8 ¼ inches
                                  WIDTH: 10 ¾ inches

                                                              PRICE $250

Gary Giovane
La Conner, WA
[email protected]

Easter cactus in full bloom August 2024